Adam Scott was greeted with enthusiastic cheers on almost every hole on Thursday.

Scott, buoyed by fans, rebounds with solid round

Published: Thursday, August 09, 2012 | 7:44 p.m.

By Steve Eubanks, PGA.com

KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. -- Adam Scott doesn’t even ride horses, at least not like some of the serious cowboys in his native Australia.

But he does understand the analogy. When you get thrown off, it’s important to get up, dust yourself off, and climb right back on.

“You’ve got to take advantage when you’re playing well,” Scott said after shooting a 4-under 68 on Thursday to put him two shots out of the lead. “Obviously I was playing well at the Open, and moving forward I couldn’t let those last few holes spoil my good play. Last week I was a little out of rhythm, but it came back quickly this week and it feels good.”

He was greeting with enthusiastic cheers on almost every hole at The Ocean Course, along with shouts of encouragement. Everyone feels for the way Scott lost the Open Championship. But they also respond to the class he has shown afterward.

“The support has been tremendous from fans,” he said. “Obviously, I think all the golfers would have been watching the Open and it’s nice to hear their support. It’s nice that they want to see me play well and I want to play well for them.”

If Scott were to win this week, producers would be lining up to make a movie about his story. But, as he noted, there is still a long way to go.

“It’s great to get off on a front foot in a major and not have to be chasing,” he said. “It’s really hard to be chasing in a major. It’s early, but it is mission accomplished for me, really. I would love to have a couple more rounds like the one I had today. Otherwise, you know, if I don’t, I’ll really feel like I’ve let it all slip this year.”

That hint of pessimism quickly faded and he was back to his steady, quiet, charming self.

“I’d love to use this opportunity while I’m playing well to get in there and have a sniff on Sunday,” he said.